Switzerland, not only famous for being home to around 450 varieties of cheese, but also, is home to a humble 19 land based casinos, spread rather evenly around the country. Some of the best reside in Bern, Basel, Geneva and two in Zurich! But all are worth a look as you travel across this green land, which sits in between Germany, France, Austria and Liechtenstein.
SWITZERLAND’S MAJOR CITIES
Good news for card players – The Swiss love their poker! Every casino will have some form of Poker and the Annual Swiss Open Poker Championships is an international event, held every year in alternating casinos. So let’s see this hand of headlining casinos in Switzerland.
Zurich
Swiss Casinos Zurich
Opening hours: 11.00am – 4/5.00am
Score: 9/10
This one is big and beautiful! Switzerland’s largest casino even! With around 365 slot machines and up to 21 table games, you are sure to find what you want at Swiss Casinos Zurich. It has some exquisite restaurants, bar and lounging options.
The surroundings are luxurious and the atmosphere classy and exciting. Naturally the poker here has three regular variations to play, after work Poker, Poker Cash Game and Ultimate Texas Hold’em Poker.
Swiss Casinos Pfäffikon – Zürichsee
Opening hours: 12.00pm – 3/4.00am
Score: 7.5/10
Not quite as large as the sister Zurich casino by Swiss Casinos, the Pfäffikon still offers up to 165 slot machines which is not too shabby at all! Limited in their table games they still run an Ultimate Texas Hold’em Poker tournament where you play against the bank, but there’s no poker cash games at this casino.
Geneva
Genève Casino Du Lac/Casino Meyrin
©Matthew Powell
Opening hours: 9.00am – 8.30am
Score 7.5/10
A nice big size and housed within the Mövenpick Hotel (yes like the ice cream!) The Casino du Lac Geneva is a good pick. Up to 195 slot machines and a nice selection of table games. They offer Poker table games, but no Poker cash games. A private VIP gaming room and a great Swiss/French restaurant.
Bern
Grand Casino Bern
Opening hours: 12.00pm – 3/4.00 am
Score: 7/10
Mid sized but big on heart is the Grand Casino in Bern. A small number of table games and slot machines sit within a hub of excitement, parties and great Asian food. Thursday night is ladies night and you’ll find poker cash games, Omaha, and Texas Hold’em, plus of course Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
Basel
Grand Casino Basel
Opening hours: 10.00am -4/5.00am
Score: 9/10
When the lights are on, the outside of this casino looks like it might be the fun-est place on earth. A large casino with a whopping 355 slot machines, this casino has a ‘have fun or go home’ taste about it.
They also have a healthy selection of table games, a hotel, a great Brassiere, wonderful live concerts and party nights. Geared to a younger, party lifestyle crowd, here you can get your dancing shoes on, as well as your pokie button finger or card hand.
Moving on, every little Swiss town has its own casino.
Charmaine Kedmenec grew up in Australia, but also traveled a lot all around Europe. She is also one of the authors of World Travel Guide for Gamblers and worked a lot in theatre.